The College of Business and Economics’ Entrepreneur Connect Speaker Series – which connects successful entrepreneurs with students and the community to share stories and advice in a casual setting – will feature Randy Hales on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Hales, who grew up in Nampa and is now known as a “serial” chief executive officer with a great deal of entrepreneurial and executive success, will discuss “Using Four Simple Levers to Dramatically Increase Enterprise Value.” He is currently the largest individual investor and CEO of Next Level Apparel, a half-billion-dollar, rapidly-growing clothing company based in Los Angeles.
Hales led kitchen appliances company Back to Basics to one of Inc. Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Companies” from 2003 to 2005. Shortly after, Mity Enterprises was named Utah Manufacturer of the Year in 2008 and 2010 under his leadership. During his seven years at ZAGG, the mobile accessories company grew from an entrepreneurial startup to over half a billion in worldwide revenue. Hales was recognized as the CEO of the Year in 2018 by Utah Business Magazine.
He brings extensive business experience in leadership, strategic planning and execution, business development, manufacturing, product management, marketing, sales and global operations. His experience includes leading both private equity-backed ventures and public companies.
In August 2009, Hales donated $150,000 for Boise State’s Micron Business and Economics Building after being inspired by a $150,000 gift from then Bronco football coach Chris Petersen and his wife, Barbara. Hales has been a fan of Boise State’s football team since he was a kid growing up in Idaho. On and off the field, he believes, the university is key to helping Boise and the greater Treasure Valley succeed.
“Boise is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic cities in the West, and it needs to have a university that can prepare students to meet that growth,” Hales said. “Students coming out of Boise State can play a huge role in helping the economy and strengthening the job base. It’s the economic engine in the community.”
In addition to his executive tenure, he’s served on 16 boards across a wide variety of industries and since 2013 has been recognized as a National Association of Corporate Directors Fellow.
The event will be held at 3 p.m on Nov. 10 in the Skaggs Hall of Learning, room 1301, in the Micron Business and Economics Building. A panel composed of the college’s faculty will ask questions about entrepreneurship and encourage members of the audience to share inquiries of their own. Parking is free in the Brady Garage (University Drive and Brady Street) for guests attending the lecture.
You can learn more about the series on the Entrepreneur Connect Speaker Series webpage.